You voiced out your surprise at the rise in breast cancer in Mauritius while you were presiding a medical conference at the University of Mauritius. Why ?
Actually, I have been surprised by the increase in the number of postmenopausal breast cancer in Mauritius. There has been a 100 % increase in this type of cancer between 2008 and 2011. Your cancer registry is very good and well kept, so there can be no error in the statistics. I have not, and no one has yet an answer to this rapid and surprising increase in breast cancer cases which makes of Mauritius an exception in the world.

Not even a small clue?
I am tempted to say that it is the result of the new lifestyle of Mauritians in general. But if this was the case, then we would have also witnessed a drastic rise in prostate cancer in men. But statistics show that it is not the case.

Is it because cardiovascular diseases are culling the male population before they reach the age when men usually develop prostate cancer ? I do not know and that’s why I say that if you want to curb this increase in breast cancer, studies must be made to determine the reason of the explosion.

In the meantime, what would be the best advice you can give to Mauritian women?
Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Healthy diets will cut the cancer risk by 50 %. Regular physical exercises are also important, for they will reduce the risk by 25 %. Regular screening is also important, the more so if you have family members – mother, sister etc – who have or had cancer.

Do we have the means and all the modern technologies to fight cancer in Mauritius ?
Yes, you have. You are well equipped and you have the necessary staff. The only thing to do now is to fine tune everything and encourage everyone to work as a team. Old fashioned techniques should also be discarded for modern ones.

You are in Mauritius to help in this fine tuning?
I am here basically to share with your doctors and nursing staff, but also to learn from them. I am not here to give lessons and to tell people not to do things the way they used to and to do it according to my way. Such an approach is tantamount to neocolonialism.

You have often spoken out against the fact that post-mastectomy breast reconstructions are not a priority in many developing countries. Why?
These types of reconstruction are free in many industrialised countries, including Great-Britain and France. Breast removal robs a woman of an important feminine attribute. It is the root of severe psychological problems. Why should only rich Mauritian women have access to post-mastectomy breast reconstruction? Women’s organization should take this issue and also start awareness campaign on cancer screening for women.

Is this the fiery speech of the daughter of an ANC activist?
True it is that my mother has been an active ANC activist under apartheid. Actually, I prefer to work for the poor instead of those who drive Ferraris or Aston Martins and who can afford to pay high fees.